Voted 4 Bush, think he did a good job, now voting McCain?

[Ling Ling 22]

You really think people are THAT stupid, that they would vote for someone just because they have a certain skin color?

It couldn't be that they're voting for him because they like his message?

What message? Very few Democrats in the primaries knew what he stood for besides "hope" and "change".

Come on, it's not like this is M.C. Hammer for president.

More like Bill Cosby as president.

I'd like to think that all people are smart enough to vote based on the issues and merits of the candidate,

not based on how much sun tan lotion a candidate needs or doesn't need.

When people voted for Bush twice they were fools. Now that they vote for Obama they're intelligent? It has little to do with issues and there little merit earned in Obama's background; however, the economy and oil prices will hurt the GOP this time even if the Democrats have had a big hand too in screwing up both.

Is there something wrong with people wanting "hope" and "change"?

Maybe they should be satisfied with the way things are.

The Bill Cosby statement speaks volumes.

Voting for Obama doesn't make you intelligent, but voting for 4 more years of the same thing sure makes you of questionable intelligence.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The party of limited government might disagree with you there.

This is not a parliamentary system. You would not have a case of a democrat controlled congress with a republican prime minister..

So what? This is the system we have. and of course the Reps Controlled congress through the majority of Bush's time in office.

My point of course was that the Republican party doesn't exact represent the idea of "big government", yet GWB has done more to expand the remit of the executive power than any other president in recent memory.

[Heracles 417]

So what? This is the system we have. and of course the Reps Controlled congress through the majority of Bush's time in office.

My point of course was that the Republican party doesn't exact represent the idea of "big government", yet GWB has done more to expand the remit of the executive power than any other president in recent memory.

"So what.." you don't know what you are talking about. That is what...

GWB does not have unlimited power to do as he pleases. The US has three levels of government. Checks and balances..

He is also not responsible for everyone's actions. Especially not in a country which prides itself in letting everyone do as they please. You either let people do whatever they want and then suffer the consequences or you setup rules and draw lines in the sand, as those under the parliamentary system. Also know as rules and regulations. You cannot have it both ways.

Edited October 9, 2008 by Aficionado

[Peikko 1,575]

You really think people are THAT stupid, that they would vote for someone just because they have a certain skin color?

It couldn't be that they're voting for him because they like his message?

What message? Very few Democrats in the primaries knew what he stood for besides "hope" and "change".

Come on, it's not like this is M.C. Hammer for president.

More like Bill Cosby as president.

I'd like to think that all people are smart enough to vote based on the issues and merits of the candidate,

not based on how much sun tan lotion a candidate needs or doesn't need.

When people voted for Bush twice they were fools. Now that they vote for Obama they're intelligent? It has little to do with issues and there little merit earned in Obama's background; however, the economy and oil prices will hurt the GOP this time even if the Democrats have had a big hand too in screwing up both.

It's fairly crazy to vote for a buffoon, no matter what side of the political aisle he/she stands on. Barack Obama is not this cycles buffoon, nor is McCain (he's just old bordering on senile). The prize for political buffoon candidate this time around goes to Ms Palin.

[chri'stina 190]

Maybe I am being oversensitive lately, but you don't ask people to answer a question and then have people start insulting them before they even answer. I am so tired of the insults towards people like me, then if I come around people might be like, "oh....well no you aren't an idiot--- just everyone else like you is." That's basically how people are acting. I am getting so annoyed by the bias around here. I don't even adore McCain but I like him more than Obama, and people are all getting lumped together under insulting labels in my opinion. I know there are McCain supporters who are insulting too, but it seems there are a lot less of them than the opposite these days. Or they have gotten more quiet lately. I know on both sides there are the outrageous posters who shoot off at the mouth and people don't take very seriously, but then there are those who just think they are better than those who don't agree with them. I bite my tongue all the time.

I voted for Bush twice and I know some people around here who did also even if they won't admit it! I don't think he did a great job the past 4 years. I do think he was great right after 9/11 and then given the choice between him and Kerry, Kerry was not better. So why would I vote for someone who I didn't think was a better choice? When it comes donw to it, I don't hate or despise Bush nor think he is the world's biggest idiot. I think he has made some poor choices. You should hope people like me give the same attitude to Obama if he wins so you don't have to hear a bunch of people saying how much they hate him or whatever all the time and making you feel dumb for voting for him.

I am just tired of the insults and "comedians" who think it's funny to constantly make sarcastic comments about people who don't agree with them, whether it be in politics or religion. Whatever side you are on, I'd feel the same. I fit in less and less around here it feels like. Yes this is a boohoo post. I had to vent this eventually.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

So what? This is the system we have. and of course the Reps Controlled congress through the majority of Bush's time in office.

My point of course was that the Republican party doesn't exact represent the idea of "big government", yet GWB has done more to expand the remit of the executive power than any other president in recent memory.

"So what.." you don't know what you are talking about. That is what...

GWB does not have unlimited power to do as he pleases. The US has three levels of government. Checks and balances..

He is also not responsible for everyone's actions. Especially not in a country which prides itself in letting everyone do as they please. You either let people do whatever they want and they suffer the consequences or you setup rules and draw lines in the sand as those under the parliamentary system. You cannot have it both ways.

Not what I said - I said GWB has done more to expand the executive role in government that any president in recent memory. There are, I suspect, more than a few Republicans who are disillusioned with Bush for precisely that reason.

[Ling Ling 22]

Maybe I am being oversensitive lately, but you don't ask people to answer a question and then have people start insulting them before they even answer. I am so tired of the insults towards people like me, then if I come around people might be like, "oh....well no you aren't an idiot--- just everyone else like you is." That's basically how people are acting. I am getting so annoyed by the bias around here. I don't even adore McCain but I like him more than Obama, and people are all getting lumped together under insulting labels in my opinion. I know there are McCain supporters who are insulting too, but it seems there are a lot less of them than the opposite these days. Or they have gotten more quiet lately. I know on both sides there are the outrageous posters who shoot off at the mouth and people don't take very seriously, but then there are those who just think they are better than those who don't agree with them. I bite my tongue all the time.

I voted for Bush twice and I know some people around here who did also even if they won't admit it! I don't think he did a great job the past 4 years. I do think he was great right after 9/11 and then given the choice between him and Kerry, Kerry was not better. So why would I vote for someone who I didn't think was a better choice? When it comes donw to it, I don't hate or despise Bush nor think he is the world's biggest idiot. I think he has made some poor choices. You should hope people like me give the same attitude to Obama if he wins so you don't have to hear a bunch of people saying how much they hate him or whatever all the time and making you feel dumb for voting for him.

I am just tired of the insults and "comedians" who think it's funny to constantly make sarcastic comments about people who don't agree with them, whether it be in politics or religion. Whatever side you are on, I'd feel the same. I fit in less and less around here it feels like. Yes this is a boohoo post. I had to vent this eventually.

Thanks for your honest and sober opinion/post.

I may not agree with it, but I can certainly understand it.

I can even understand your liking McCain a little more than Obama (don't agree, but understand).

My question now is...does it bother you that he's chosen Palin as his running mate, and the idea that she could step into the Presidency?

Or to rephrase the question. given the choice between Obama and Palin, which would you support?

[Peikko 1,575]

Sorry Parivar (I need glasses, darnit) - I do however stand by my opinion that it makes sense to vote for a politician who is intelligent. My opinion of Bush has always been that he simply isn't intelligent enough for the job of president. Kerry would have done a better job on that score at least.

Edited October 9, 2008 by Madame Cleo

[chri'stina 190]

Ling Ling, thanks. I am not so thrilled w/ Palin as the choice. I think it's great for us to have a female VP, but I think it wasn't a great choice, though I see the strategy behind it. It's really hard for me to think about having to choose between Palin and Obama. I like Obama's personality better in a way but I disagree with certain issues that are important to me, meanwhile I might agree with Palin on some more things, her personality isn't as appealing to me. As for experience, I see them about the same but Obama I guess had more time to get involved in things you need to now when running as Pres, while Palin just appeared from nowhere and has had a lot of catching up to do knowledge-wise. I would be torn really. Can I say, I'd pick neither?

[chri'stina 190]

Sorry Parivar (I need glasses, darnit) - I do however stand by my opinion that it makes sense to vote for a politician who is intelligent. My opinion of Bush has always been that he simply isn't intelligent enough for the job of president. Kerry would have done a better job on that score at least.

I am not offended by that, but I think perceived intelligence and personality together is why some voters make the choice. Whether you see it or not, maybe you do, some people liked that Bush seemed more of the guy you could watch a sports game with or something, while maybe the other choices seemed more out of reach. As for education, Bush did attend a good college and graduated. It's a matter of perception.

[Heracles 417]

Maybe I am being oversensitive lately, but you don't ask people to answer a question and then have people start insulting them before they even answer. I am so tired of the insults towards people like me, then if I come around people might be like, "oh....well no you aren't an idiot--- just everyone else like you is." That's basically how people are acting. I am getting so annoyed by the bias around here. I don't even adore McCain but I like him more than Obama, and people are all getting lumped together under insulting labels in my opinion. I know there are McCain supporters who are insulting too, but it seems there are a lot less of them than the opposite these days. Or they have gotten more quiet lately. I know on both sides there are the outrageous posters who shoot off at the mouth and people don't take very seriously, but then there are those who just think they are better than those who don't agree with them. I bite my tongue all the time.

I voted for Bush twice and I know some people around here who did also even if they won't admit it! I don't think he did a great job the past 4 years. I do think he was great right after 9/11 and then given the choice between him and Kerry, Kerry was not better. So why would I vote for someone who I didn't think was a better choice? When it comes donw to it, I don't hate or despise Bush nor think he is the world's biggest idiot. I think he has made some poor choices. You should hope people like me give the same attitude to Obama if he wins so you don't have to hear a bunch of people saying how much they hate him or whatever all the time and making you feel dumb for voting for him.

I am just tired of the insults and "comedians" who think it's funny to constantly make sarcastic comments about people who don't agree with them, whether it be in politics or religion. Whatever side you are on, I'd feel the same. I fit in less and less around here it feels like. Yes this is a boohoo post. I had to vent this eventually.

You nailed it there

These constant attacks are a huge issue for me. Hollywood and every other comedian has to get over ridiculing and belittling our leaders or anyone they disagree with 24 hours a day. I don't care if they are democrat, republicans, independents, Muslim, Christian, Hindu etc. Have some freakin respect. What do people think this does for America's reputation overseas. What do people think this does for the politicians moral. After all these people are responsible for our welfare. Not some dumb #### like John Stewart, who is probably being paid 500 times the Presidents salary. I am sure there are plenty who will disagree with me and play it down but I do not buy it.

This is a tough time for this country and the last thing we need is trench warfare. The country needs to work together and support each other. Rather than cutting each other day. The message many are sending out is we support diversity and equality, as long as we agree with it.

What is obvious is that as long as a comment, joke, movie or sketch is not direct towards African Americans, then anything goes.

Edited October 9, 2008 by Aficionado

[Peikko 1,575]

Nope, I simply don't care if a politician 'gets me' or not. I just want them to be able to take a bunch of facts and disseminate them, to be able to apply critical thinking to decision making. I don't expect a politician to always make the right choice, but I do expect them to make a good choice based on assembling facts and then choosing the best option available based on the facts. Bush just struck me as the 'affable uncle figure' perfectly pleasant and nice, but not the person you would go to in order to get a sensible opinion on matters of importance.

[Ling Ling 22]

Ling Ling, thanks. I am not so thrilled w/ Palin as the choice. I think it's great for us to have a female VP, but I think it wasn't a great choice, though I see the strategy behind it. It's really hard for me to think about having to choose between Palin and Obama. I like Obama's personality better in a way but I disagree with certain issues that are important to me, meanwhile I might agree with Palin on some more things, her personality isn't as appealing to me. As for experience, I see them about the same but Obama I guess had more time to get involved in things you need to now when running as Pres, while Palin just appeared from nowhere and has had a lot of catching up to do knowledge-wise. I would be torn really. Can I say, I'd pick neither?

OK Parivar, I think we've got some good dialogue going here.

Back to Palin vs. Obama.

What about Obama's law experience, for example, editor of the Harvard Law Review?

That doesn't sway you even a tiny bit?

I mean, Presidents have to review, approve, veto, and suggest legislation.

[Heracles 417]

Politicians are only human after all. Our job should be to "KEEP THE BASTARDS HONEST"..

[Heracles 417]

OK Parivar, I think we've got some good dialogue going here.

Back to Palin vs. Obama.

What about Obama's law experience, for example, editor of the Harvard Law Review?

That doesn't sway you even a tiny bit?

I mean, Presidents have to review, approve, veto, and suggest legislation.

While if I could vote I would vote for Obama, I think his Law background is a negative. We need politicians who are fiscally knowledgeable and responsible. The legal field is a drain on a country's resources. Especially in America where one can pretty much sue for the sake of suing and where criminals can easily get off on technicalities.